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Post by smithy on Sept 3, 2007 12:38:56 GMT 12
I know there's a few ex Strike Wing members who knock around here and I thought it would be interesting to know what happened to all the 2, 14 and 75 pilots who flew with our former Strike Wing.
I know Easthope and Osborne went to the RAAF but what happened to all the others who were serving at the time of disbandment? How many and who have gone to the RAAF, RAF, etc, etc?
Don and Barnsey, you guys can no doubt help out here and let us know who's gone where.
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Post by smithy on Aug 27, 2007 14:19:09 GMT 12
Thanks for the links, didn't know there was so much RNZAF A-4 clips on youtube.
Great stuff although like most I always have a twinge of sadness when I watch these.
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Post by smithy on Nov 6, 2007 23:32:03 GMT 12
I love this story. I think most of us here like these stories of finding an old gem in a barn, and I personally would love to think that there's a Corsair at the bottom of a swamp just waiting to be found. Here's hoping one day maybe the legend will be proven true.
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Post by smithy on Sept 20, 2006 12:29:19 GMT 12
Thanks for that Stu, I've nicked that onto my hard drive
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Post by smithy on Jul 7, 2006 21:53:17 GMT 12
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Post by smithy on Jul 7, 2006 21:01:42 GMT 12
Actually had there been any discussion within the RNZAF concerning what paint scheme "our" F-16s were to carry?
FS34079 like the A-4Ks and the what-if pic Dave put up (now that would've been different, although I suppose unlikely), standard USAF colouring, the Pakistani F-16 scheme?
Anybody know something about this?
Cheers,
Tim.
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Post by smithy on Jul 6, 2006 8:32:50 GMT 12
If only...
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Post by smithy on Sept 15, 2006 23:59:06 GMT 12
Just downloaded the trailer and love it (except the cheesy taglines!) If only my eyesight had've been better At least now I know what it was like!
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Post by smithy on Jul 19, 2006 23:54:32 GMT 12
Hi Barnsey, I'd love to see a copy as well.
Tim.
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Post by smithy on Jul 3, 2006 18:37:26 GMT 12
If you can find out the production company they'll have the masters in storage. Though whether they'll want to share them is another matter...
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Post by smithy on Jul 1, 2006 13:57:50 GMT 12
Brilliant news about the book Don. Pleased to hear that you'll be telling the truth of just how good our little A-4s were and what a steaming pile Helen and her gang were telling the public. If you're after pre-orders you can definitely put me down for one.
And I'm also interested in seeing the HUD tape of the display. Is there the possibility of putting it up on Calum's site?
Cheers and once again can't wait to see this book published.
Tim.
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Post by smithy on Jun 29, 2006 20:37:43 GMT 12
Fantastic photo Don, thanks for that!
Hope you can share some more from your time with the Squawks.
Tim.
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Post by smithy on Jul 2, 2006 21:54:49 GMT 12
Hi Corsair, actually I have a few snaps saved on CD. I'll try and dig them out for you.
Cheers,
Tim.
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Post by smithy on Jul 1, 2006 14:16:52 GMT 12
Slightly off topic but when I lived in Bodø, Norway in 2003 and 2004, my office window looked out towards the Royal Norwegian Air Force base where 331 Squadron are based equipped with F-16s. I was further lucky where the runway ran at a 90 degree angle to my office so I was treated everyday to frontrow seats watching them fly off on their morning and afternoon sorties.
I was also lucky enough to go on a tour of the base for work and see the F-16s up close and watch them take off from the side of the runway one day. Great stuff but always reminded me of what might have been here in NZ.
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Post by smithy on Apr 8, 2008 22:29:13 GMT 12
Thanks for the link Dave, and second you entirely on the "there's some idiots out there" thing.
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Post by smithy on Sept 21, 2006 1:34:56 GMT 12
I think you did well Don, shame they couldn't go into more depth where your other ideas could've really shined.
Goff, looked like a total prat. By talking to him and you in the interview it came across as someone who knew his onions (you) and someone who couldn't tell his arse from his elbow (Goff).
Be interesting to see if more comes up in the media about this.
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Post by smithy on Sept 6, 2006 22:19:12 GMT 12
Yeah best of luck Don (although I don't think you'll need it). I'm currently drafting a letter for the paper and hope to have it off this week.
And Dave, that MB-339K Veltro II is not a looker at all. Funny because I always thought our CBs were a really attractive aircraft. Must be something to do with the long canopy of the two seater setting off the lines of the plane better. Plus our Macchis "lizard" camo scheme didn't do any harm either!
Tim.
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Post by smithy on Sept 6, 2006 18:43:17 GMT 12
Here's a pic of that single seater version, the MB339K Veltro II, with a rather unfortunate civil registration!
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Post by smithy on Sept 6, 2006 11:01:29 GMT 12
Thanks once again Don, it's great to be able to ask these kinds of questions to somebody who was a part of our ACF.
Tim.
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Post by smithy on Sept 5, 2006 21:45:38 GMT 12
Thanks for that Don! It sounds like an absolute brilliant and sensible idea. I imagine it would also leave the RNZAF with the option that if the political climate changed and there was a view to reinstate an air combat capability this would serve as a perfect intermediary step. At the same time if that was still deemed inappropriate then they could continue in the advanced pilot training and army/navy support roles. I would love to see something like this happen. Have you contacted anybody else politically about this idea? Be great if some party could work this into their defence policy. Definitely mention this to Close Up if they go with the story Don, it's this sort of common sense stuff that the public really needs to know about. Also Don because you'll know this...I know our Macchis were cleared to carry practice bombs, rockets and gunpacks but IIRC I heard they do have the ability to carry AIMs and AGMs, is that right? Cheers for the insights! Tim. - Now I just need to find out who to talk to about these Macchi "scenic" flights that are going on at the mo
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